Car maintenance priced at$500 in 1999→$825.28 in 2018

Historical Price Inflation for Car maintenance

Prices for Car Maintenance, 1999-2018 ($500)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for motor vehicle maintenance and repair were
65.06% higher
in 2018 versus 1999.

Between 1999 and 2018:Car maintenance experienced an average inflation rate of 2.67% per year.
This rate of change indicates significant inflation.
In other words, car maintenance costing $500 in the year 1999 would cost $825.28 in 2018 for an equivalent purchase.
Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.13% during this same period, inflation for car maintenance was
similar.

In the year 1999: Pricing changed by 2.87%,
above the average yearly
change for car maintenance during the 1999-2018 time period.
Compared to inflation for all items in 1999 (2.19%), price inflation for car maintenance was
higher.

Price Inflation for Motor vehicle maintenance and repair since 1935

Consumer Price Index, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Years with the largest changes in pricing:
1975 (12.64%),
1980 (10.61%),
and 1974 (10.23%).

How to calculate the inflation rate for car maintenance, 1999-2018

Then plug in historical CPI values from above. The CPI for Motor vehicle maintenance and repair was 171.862 in the year 1999 and 283.668 in 2018:

283.668 / 171.862* $500 = $825.28

Therefore, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $500 in 1999 has the same "purchasing power" as $825.28 in 2018 (in the category of Motor vehicle maintenance and repair).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the Consumer Price Index for Motor vehicle maintenance and repair in 1935. In addition to car maintenance, the index produces monthly data on changes in prices paid by urban consumers for a variety of other goods and services.